SAF encik who died in Brunei accident accorded military funeral; former trainees and colleagues pay tribute

Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) regular serviceman, 3rd Warrant Officer (3WO) Muhammad Sadikin Bin Hasban, died on duty in Brunei on Tuesday morning. The 33-year-old had been supervising contractors carrying out maintenance work at a helicopter evacuation site when he was hit by a falling tree branch.

According to the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), resuscitation efforts were carried out onsite by an SAF doctor before the unconscious man was conveyed via helicopter and ambulance to Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital close to 10am, more than an hour after the accident struck. 3WO Sadikin succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 11:50am.

Photo: The Singapore Army / Facebook

Arrangements were made to fly his body back to Singapore, and he was accorded a military funeral yesterday. Servicemen from the 9th Singapore Division/Infantry and the Army gathered at Lim Chu Kang Muslim Cemetery to pay respects to the man, who was described as “well-respected” by his trainees, subordinates, peers, and superiors.

“The late 3WO Sadikin was a dedicated and committed leader who always gave his best in everything he did,” wrote SAF in a post.

“The positive attitude he exuded never failed to resonate with the people he engaged with. He had shown the utmost professionalism in the way he conducted himself as a soldier, trainer and more importantly as a commander, who put everyone’s interest before himself.”

Well-respected

On Facebook, multiple accounts and tributes posted by his former trainees, friends, and infantry-mates painted 3WO Sadikin as a strict commander, but with a funny and caring side as well.